AAA: Gas price spike coming in spring

Friday

Mar 2, 2018 at 3:44 PMMar 2, 2018 at 4:13 PM

Gasoline prices in Massachusetts are currently averaging 32 cents more per gallon that the same time a year ago. And while prices have dipped in recent weeks, this is not a trend consumers should expect to linger. AAA is forecasting that the national average will be as much as $2.70 per gallon this spring, a level not seen since the summer of 2015. The current Massachusetts price is $2.49.

“Motorists will start to see gas prices make their spring hike in early April,” said Lloyd Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Legislative Affairs. “That is when refinery maintenance is expected to be wrapped up and the switchover to more expensive summer-blend gasoline kicks in along with warner weather and typical increases in demand.”

How does this impact driving habits? A new AAA survey found that one in four drivers would change their driving habits at $2.75 per gallon, while 40 percent says $3.00 is their tipping point.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s American Driving Survey, on average Americans drive 32 miles a day and spend 51 minutes behind the wheel. AAA offers a few ways to conserve fuel.

Slow Down. The faster you drive the more fuel you use.

Carpool or use public transportation

Do not use your trunk for storage. The heavier your car, the more fuel it uses.

Combine errands. If possible, park in a central spot and walk from place to place.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit member service organization with 65 offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 5.7 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services